Photo: Supplied
Alexander Turnbull spent the greater part of his life - and his inheritance - growing his library, acquiring books, manuscripts, sketches and other materials relating to life in New Zealand.
At the time of Turnbull’s death in June 1918, the scale of his collection far surpassed those of other collectors of the time. Following his bequest to the people of New Zealand, the Alexander Turnbull Library was opened two years later.
Published to mark 100 years since the establishment of the library, Tu Kupenga celebrates the history of Aotearoa New Zealand through 101 fascinating objects within its collection. Co-author and chief librarian Chris Szekely shares some of these objects and their stories.